Here at ATUF we love our paranormal romance and enjoy sampling the diverse flavors that different authors delight us with. So, we are excited to have Kylie Griffin here today to give us her fantasy romance recipe for ALLEGIANCE SWORN, the third book in The Light Blade series (available now from Berkley). We hope the recipe and excerpt below will whet your appetite for more & don’t forget to enter to win ALLEGIANCE SWORN below!

A Recipe for Fantasy Romance

by

Kylie Griffin

Ever wondered what ingredients might go into a fantasy romance? Or how long it takes to write one? Is there a secret blend of the mystical and fantastical that makes up the story?

Well, I’d like to share my homemade creation with you. It’s called ALLEGIANCE SWORN. Others who’ve already tried it say it’s explosive, adventurous, hot and spicy and profoundly touching. I just hope you like all the elements enough to try it.

ALLEGIANCE SWORN Recipe

Ingredients:

Take

1 fantasy setting

1 hot hero who hates all things demon – Arek

1 strong heroine who just happens to be a demon – Imhara

A race of blood-thirsty, power hungry demon Clans – lead by Savyr & Yur

a pinch of political intrigue (secrets, betrayal & attempted assassinations)

a shake or three of mystical abilities (courtesy of the Lady)

add a quest to rid the world of a megalomaniac (aka the demon leader called Savyr)

Shake.

World-build.

Stir.

Flavor with multiple plot threads.

Taste.

Layer with depth and loads of conflict.

Add more of the above ingredients as needed,

and in about 115000 words you’ll have one rip-roaring fantasy romance called ALLEGIANCE SWORN.

All ingredients guaranteed to provide you with a daily escape from reality, renew your sense of hope and feed your need for a happy ending. Best consumed in one sitting for ultimate impact and satisfaction. Will serve an unlimited number of readers.

There’s the recipe *grin* – if only writing a book was as easy as making a cake. The best thing is, readers get to enjoy the end product regardless.

I invite you to read a piece, savor it and decide whether you’d like to sample some more.

Excerpt from ALLEGIANCE SWORN

The Na’Reishi female eased back onto her heels. “I suspect he’ll reveal his plans then, but the frequent patrols using Kaal territory to cross the border, the age of the humans being brought back, the increased tithes all indicate Savyr is preparing for war with your people.”

Arek’s gut tightened. Her statement confirmed what the Blade Council and his own experiences on patrol had revealed — nearly five hundred humans taken and close to four times that massacred in their homes the last few months alone.

Imhara Kaal was telling the truth there — her forthrightness with such information surprised him — but with Clan feuds commonplace among the Na’Reish, her motives for wanting the Na’Rei dead were still suspect.

“You don’t need me to assassinate Savyr. We both know there are scores of different ways to accomplish this.” Arek lifted a brow. “What’s the real reason for killing him?”

The demon pushed to her feet. She strode to the end of the bed, staring into the shadows beyond. “You mask your scepticism well, Light Blade, but I can scent it in the air between us.”

“Your last four Na’Rei’s were all murdered, in one fashion or another, for the throne. History speaks for itself.”

She whirled back to him, her face slackening in shock. “You’re assuming I want to take Savyr’s place?”

“You’re Na’Reish.”

A muscle in her jaw leapt. She leaned forward, her hands clenching on the iron bed- end.

“Once they discover who is behind his death, his Clan will seek revenge.” She flexed her fingers, easing their white-knuckled grip, her voice strong and low. “To save my Clan, I intend asking for a truce with your leaders.”

A grunt of laughter exploded from him. Had she been inhaling haze? Most Na’Reish burnt the dried leaf to subdue unruly blood-slaves, but it wasn’t unheard of for some to use it for their own pleasure.

Fantasies and delusions were common side effects.

Lady’s Breath, it would explain her insane request.

Arek shook his head. “A patrol will intercept you well before you get to Sacred Lake.”

“Your presence will allay any attack.” The urgency in her voice and in her expression lifted his pulse rate. “You’ll have lived among us”—here she grimaced and gave a half shrug—“or will have by the time we approach your Council. You’ll be able to tell them the Kaal poses no threat, that we’re nothing like the other Clans.”

He snorted. “No threat?”

“I know you hate me, Light Blade, and I know you don’t trust me yet, but just consider the possibility that what I’m saying is true.”

He was ready to shoot back a nasty response, but the waver in her voice gave him pause. She swallowed hard and her gaze swerved away from his, but not before fear darkened her eyes.

Fear of him? Of facing the Blade Council?

Or something else?

She cleared her throat and met his gaze again, determination cloaking her like a second skin. “Your Chosen will have an ally prepared to defend the border of human territory, from the Southern Swamplands to the tip of the northern Skadda Ranges. Na’Reish patrols will no longer be able to use Skadda Pass or the slave- route. If the assassination doesn’t halt the war preparations, losing half their major supply line for blood- slaves will.”

Her speech was sense and reason wrapped up in temptation, but the most powerful lies were half-truths cloaked in logic. He knew that from experience, having been lied to his entire life by his grandfather, the one man he’d trusted and looked up to.

Arek pushed away the ache that came with that thought and focused on the Na’Reishi standing at the end of the bed.

Imhara Kaal had to have some ulterior motive, something she hadn’t yet revealed.

“No human will ever trust a Na’Reish.” His voice was flat, hard. “Particularly a traitor.”

So, does the sample tempt you into trying out this fantasy romance – I hope so!

Kylie Griffin’s obsession with all things paranormal/fantasy started at an early age, when she used to imagine the jacaranda tree in her front yard was a spaceship used to defend the world from invading enemies. Writing stories seemed a natural extension to her childhood adventures.

Today, she’s a primary school teacher sharing her love for the written word with young children. In her spare time, she writes and reads all things paranormal.

Kylie lives in a small rural village in outback New South Wales, Australia, where she volunteers in a number of emergency service organizations in her local community.

Giveaway provided by Berkley
One copy of ALLEGIANCE SWORN by Kylie Griffin

Available now from Berkley Sensation

Description:

There is no mercy in the demon realm. No escape. In this place of desperation and conflict, anyone who is not purebred is virtually powerless. Until a demon leader seeks to unify the races…

With the alliance of the humans and the half-blood Na’Chi forged, the demon Na’Reish prepare for war by seizing human blood-slaves. Captured during a rescue mission-gone-wrong, Light Blade warrior Arek Barial finds himself claimed by a Na’Reishi female who offers him an unexpected choice.

Raised in the elite ranks of a society she abhors, Imhara Kaal lives a dangerous double life as a Na’Reish Clan-leader and an advocate for a caste-free life that honors the Old Ways. Openly rebelling against the Na’Reish would mean her death, unless she can find an emissary willing to present her petition to the human Blade council.

But Arek isn’t about to blindly follow a demon—despite the intense attraction growing between them. And while hatred for the Na’Reish is all he has ever known, Arek must learn to trust Imhara, or risk the destruction of all three races…

Kylie Griffin

A good recipe for me must include a woman who is interested in many of the same things I am, would love to share time cooking in the kitchen, visiting places like Colonial Williamsburg. It must also include love of Sunsets on the beach (too old for the walking part).

Kylie Griffin

humor, the tug and push between the two main characters, I love a bit of chase and resistance, not all that heavy on sickly sweet stuff. Always love bit of comedy and action thrown into it, but I like the hot connection between the two

Kylie Griffin

Chris Bails

I think that the receipe for a great book is a great cast of characters, especially the secondary characters. Funny lines are always good. I good amount of loving, especially outdoor romps. I also love a great Happily Ever After.

Kylie Griffin

One of the things I like about paranormal romances is that you get that HEA, Chris. And solid secondary characters lead to more stories!

Arek is a secondary character who appeared in VENGEANCE BORN and ALLIANCE FORGED, books #1 & #2 in the Light Blade series. He clamoured and complained so much I had to give him his own story! So I paired him with Imhara and made him face his greatest fear!

Kylie Griffin

Josette Schaber

The ingredients of a good story very depending on my mood and the genre I am reading. Characters, details, good description, and a story with a definite beginning, middle, and end. A story typically has some sort of conflict whether it is internal or external as well.

Kylie Griffin

Barbara Elness

A story that has characters that I can become invested in (I want to find out what happens with them), an interesting and fairly complex plot, a bit of humor in even the darkest tale, and a great setting.

Janie McGaugh

Kylie Griffin

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